DENVER—Xanterra Parks & Resorts has received a Lodging Sustainability Award. The award was announced at the Lodging Magazine Green + Sustainability Conference + Expo in Las Vegas. A global hospitality company known for its environmental innovations in national and state parks, resorts and other destinations, Xanterra has been long recognized as a visionary in environmental innovation and for its commitment to a softer footprint in those natural places.Sponsored by Lodging magazine, the Lodging Sustainability Awards “recognize the contribution of individuals, groups and corporate entities who exemplify the meaning of sustainability in the hotel industry,” Lodging magazine says. “The winners...

LONDON—InterContinental Hotels Group announced that its flagship IHG Green Engage program will be rolled out across the company’s global estate of over 4,700 hotels as of January 1, 2015. IHG Green Engage is an online environmental sustainability tool, which gives hotels the ability to track how much energy, carbon and water they are using, as well as assessing how waste is managed. This allows them to see how much they are spending and saving and to feed data directly to IHG’s corporate clients as part of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.The IHG Green Engage system comprises more than...

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—Commercial buildings in California account for nearly 40 percent of primary energy usage, much of which is wasted because of inefficiencies in older construction. According to the United States Department of Energy, commercial buildings could be made 80 percent more efficient with new and existing technology, but many property owners don’t fully appreciate the value proposition that retrofitting can bring to a business. Increasing energy efficiency through green and clean energy retrofitting offers tremendous benefits to California businesses, including hotels. On average, hotels spend nearly $2,200 per available room each year on energy; long operating schedules make hotels an...

LOS ANGELES—Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, recently announced a $30 million rennovation—which includes all new guestroom interiors as well as upgrades in the hotel’s meeting areas and its famous pools with a completion date set for early 2015. Known for reflecting a stunning blend of Hawaii’s culture and natural beauty, the upgrades are designed to further enhance the guest experience with a fresh, contemporary island look.  Room design updates are being headed by interior architect Robert Barry of the Los Angeles based Barry Design Associates (BDA) who won the account via a design competition. The firm was behind...

TALLAHASSEE—Sheena Chin-Greene has been named Coordinator of the Florida Green Lodging Program. She replaces JoAnn Shearer. Chin-Greene previously worked in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Northeast District Office. She brings extensive experience with sustainable initiatives including green lodging and pollution prevention and has special expertise with Lean process improvement. Chin-Greene joins a program that now has 717 participants.The Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary initiative of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that designates and recognizes lodging facilities that make a commitment to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources. The program’s environmental guidelines allow the hospitality industry...

NEW YORK—There are just two weeks until the many green activities begin at this year’s Hospitality Leadership Forum, International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) and Boutique Design New York (BDNY). Events will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center November 8 to 11 in New York City. Recently, three NEWH Green Voice Conversations were added to the extensive schedule of sustainability-focused sessions. The Green Voice Conversations will take place as part of BDNY.The first Green Voice Conversation will take place Sunday, November 9 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. The topic will be, “Where Does Your Wood...

MIAMI—On Tuesday, October 14, the Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA) honored hotels and allied businesses that are leading the adoption of sustainable hospitality practices at its 2nd Annual Sustainable Hospitality Awards. Award winners were selected from nominated local hotels and businesses that are advancing sustainability practices through implementation, promotion and education of guests and employees.The GMBHA’s Sustainable Hospitality Council celebrated 21 outstanding hotel properties and businesses that are advancing the principles and practices of sustainable hospitality, resource conservation and preservation of South Florida’s unique environment.Keynote speaker, Diana C. Beltran Gonzalez, Learning & Delivery Manager, Global Learning...

DALLAS—NYLO Hotels, LLC announced they are providing Tesla Motors charging stations at NYLO Dallas South Side, NYLO Irving/Las Colinas and NYLO Plano at Legacy. The service began on October 10. Each DFW-area NYLO Hotel will have three charging stations for electric car owners to use for free on a first come, first serve basis.“We are thrilled to offer NYLO guests a chance to charge up their Tesla vehicle,” said Mike Mueller, CEO of NYLO Hotels. “We believe in the Tesla brand and installed stations because they are reinventing the way people buy cars. This relationship will enhance NYLO’s commitment...

NEW ORLEANS—The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) launched the WELL Building Standard Version 1.0 at the inaugural WELL Building Symposium in New Orleans. The WELL Building Standard is the world’s first building standard to focus on enhancing people’s health and wellbeing through the built environment. Following a two-year pilot program and a formal Peer Review process, the WELL Building Standard is now publicly available at www.WELLcertified.com.“The public release of the WELL Building Standard v1.0 marks a momentous step forward in our efforts to bring health and wellness into the indoor environments where we spend more than 90 percent of...

LAS VEGAS—Just one week remains until the second annual Lodging Green & Sustainability Conference & Expo. The event will be held Tuesday, October 28 through Thursday, October 30 at the LEED Gold and Green Key certified ARIA Resort & Casino. The event, with about 50 speakers and 40 exhibitors, will feature many educational and networking opportunities. If you register on-site, the rate for all 3 days is $595 to participate. However, if you register on-line here by October 27 you will save $100. For Tuesday, October 28 only ($145): Master Class on Waste Management Innovations in the morning (10...